Press
Friedrich Merz is desperately trying not to let the internal disputes at the CDU party conference escalate. Angela Merkel doesn’t even come – and still infuriates the Merz camp.
Berlin – Angela Merkel is one of the people at the CDU federal party conference these days that it feels like every delegate is talking about. And she’s not even there yet. Some conservatives even feel provoked by this behavior – and lash out heavily against the old party leader. The chairman of the Junge Union, for example wrote in a published letter to Merkel supporter Daniel Günther big guns. “Angela Merkel has a lot to thank the CDU for,” writes Johannes Winkel, and further: “The party opened up a world political career for her and has made it possible again and again. The fact that she is now turning away from the party in such a way is disappointing. Many find this disrespectful.” Rumms. The ex-Chancellor’s potential for division seems incalculable.
CDU party conference without Angela Merkel – “She has completed her time as Chancellor and CDU leader on her own initiative”
The party leadership dutifully invited its ex-chairwoman to the CDU federal party conference in Berlin. Unsurprisingly, she canceled, as she did with all other CDU events. However, people in the party turn up their noses when it comes to appointments that the former Chancellor attends instead: For example, she prefers to go to a Green event on May 13th, namely the farewell of the former can deposit minister Jürgen Trittin. She even wants to give a speech there. At the CDU party conference in Berlin – that’s what it’s called Phoenix-Journalist Constanze Abratzky in the live broadcast – Merkel is the “white elephant in the room”.
Armin Laschet should also see it similarly. Merkel’s successor as party leader therefore actively addressed the issue in the run-up to the party conference. Laschet wants Merkel to give up her reserve towards her party. Laschet said South German newspaperhe noticed “that Angela Merkel has been very reserved about appointments in the past few months because she is working on her book – in personal meetings she has said that she is concentrating on that at the moment.”
Laschet continued: “Angela Merkel doesn’t have to come to every party conference.” But he would like her to attend CDU events again in the future – but also said: “Angela Merkel has her time as Chancellor and CDU leader on her own initiative completed.”
Merkel camp attacks Merz – Daniel Günther: “The Union should actually be in a better position”
Before the CDU party conference, a Merz opponent had put his finger in the wound. Northern Prime Minister Daniel Günther wants to lure Green voters to the Union – with Merkel’s course. Günther told the newspapers Funke Media Group: “We cannot reach many of those who voted for the CDU under Merkel at the moment – but they are not unreachable.” There are many dissatisfied Green voters who would be willing to change. “Angela Merkel’s centrist course was her recipe for success.” The traffic lights have a miserable reputation among the population. “In such a situation, the Union should actually be in a better position than it is at the moment.” In nationwide surveys, the Union stands at around 29 to 32.5 percent. In the 2021 election, the Union only achieved 24.1 percent.
Günther’s words were followed by the incendiary letter from the JU boss. CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann has already predicted a lively party conference. He described Daniel Günther’s theses as “completely legitimate”. He is sure: “We’ll talk about it.”
#Merz #camp #boiling #anger #White #elephant #room